The Recurring Cast
Reading order · 18 books · 1985 to 2008 · Set in New York

Burke Books in Order

A series by Andrew Vachss

Noir and hardboiledPrivate eye

Burke is an ex-convict and outlaw in New York, who lives outside the system and hunts those who harm children, helped by a loyal family of friends. Andrew Vachss was a lawyer who represented children, and these are dark, unflinching books.

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Series facts

Books
18
Published
1985 to 2008
First book
Flood
Latest
Another Life (2008)
Setting
Set in New York

The reading order

Every Burke book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.

18 books · Set in New York
  1. 1Flood1985With BurkeA woman named Flood, a skilled martial artist, hires Burke to help her find a man who harmed a child.Buy on Amazon
  2. 2Strega1987With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  3. 3Blue Belle1988With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  4. 4Hard Candy1989With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  5. 5Blossom1990With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  6. 6Sacrifice1991With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  7. 7Down in the Zero1994With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  8. 8Footsteps of the Hawk1995With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  9. 9False Allegations1996With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  10. 10Safe House1998With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  11. 11Choice of Evil1999With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  12. 12Dead and Gone2000With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  13. 13Pain Management2001With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  14. 14Only Child2002With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  15. 15Down Here2004With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  16. 16Mask Market2006With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  17. 17Terminal2007With BurkeBuy on Amazon
  18. 18Another Life2008With BurkeBuy on Amazon

Do you need to read them in order?

Read in order, starting with Flood, as Burke’s family and history build across the series.

Who appears in which book

The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.

Who appears in each Burke book
BookBurkeMax the SilentThe ProfMama WongMichelle
1 FloodLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
2 StregaLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
3 Blue BelleLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
4 Hard CandyLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
5 BlossomLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
6 SacrificeLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
7 Down in the ZeroLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
8 Footsteps of the HawkLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
9 False AllegationsLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
10 Safe HouseLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
11 Choice of EvilLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
12 Dead and GoneLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
13 Pain ManagementLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
14 Only ChildLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
15 Down HereLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
16 Mask MarketLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
17 TerminalLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor
18 Another LifeLLeadMMajorMMajorMMajorMMajor

Characters in the Burke books

6 characters from Andrew Vachss’s chart, with the number of Burke books each appears in.

CharacterBooksFirst in this series
BurkeEx-convict and mercenary18Flood 1985
Max the SilentMute Mongolian warrior18Flood 1985
The ProfSmall, rhyming old con18Flood 1985
Mama WongOwner of a Chinese restaurant18Flood 1985
MichelleTransgender friend18Flood 1985
FloodWoman hunting a killer1Flood 1985